Good morning, Mankato.

Les Schwab Tires (a longtime regional tire retailer) is opening its first Mankato location in a 10,500 sqft building on Feb.

18 at 1540 Interlachen Drive. The store will offer tire sales and auto services and is recruiting staff ahead of a grand opening in mid March.

Bryce Stenzel, a Lincoln historian, will speak at the Morson-Ario-Strand VFW on Feb.

11 at 7 p.m. + he will share his research on the close 1876 election and an attempted theft of Lincoln’s tomb, with free entry and donations supporting a Civil War memorial project.

MnDOT announced Highway 169 will be closed in 2027 from north of Vets Bridge to south of the Highway 14 interchange — drivers take a detour via Highway 14 and Lookout Drive.

A new noise wall will be built next summer from Wallyn Park to Tyler Avenue to reduce noise.

Ninth-grader Evelyn Nosbush of New Ulm Public School is fundraising for a service dog (from a Labrador lineage) to detect airborne latex and help prevent severe allergic reactions; her mother's GoFundMe has raised one-third of the $47,000 needed while trainers plan to find the right match.

Athletes from Mankato East and Mankato West signed on Wednesday, setting plans to advance their academic and athletic careers as they look forward to college.

They are preparing to take the next steps in both their studies and sports.

Minnesota Pork Congress

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center — Cost info not provided — Discover the latest in pork production and network with industry professionals.

Trivia for the Trades

6 PM – 9:30 PM — Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Mankato Hotel and Conference Center — Varies — Enjoy a fun trivia night while supporting trades education with dinner and drinks.

Who is Jesus? Mankato

6-9 p.m. — Ostrander Auditorium — Free entry — Explore the life and teachings of Jesus Christ during an unforgettable night.